Treasures 'n' Thrift hadn't opened its doors when people started shopping there.

"We just came down to do some work and people started coming by," said Ron Ferré, who owns the store with his wife, Robin.

Almost two months later, Treasures 'n' Thrift will hold its official grand opening from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the Ferrés will be serving free hot dogs and hamburgers and they'll have Italian sodas for youths.

The shop is filled with what the couple calls "quality donations" of clothing, household goods, home décor, furniture and books. They also handle consignments of items such as furniture, artwork and larger items, but not clothing.

The person most excited about the store's opening is Bob Schilling, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula. The Ferrés have agreed to be an ongoing donor to the Sequim club, donating a percentage of their sales every month.

The Ferrés bought the 6,000-square-foot building, formerly occupied by Sandy's Auto Parts, about two years ago. They thought it would be a good thrift store location because of the visibility from the street and openness of the space; and they sought a tenant to rent the building.

After a potential tenant who wanted to open a thrift shop fell through, the Ferrés took the plunge and started making plans for Treasures 'n' Thrift.

Robin's 16-year-old

daughter Jayme Birdsall has been heavily involved in getting the shop ready to open, working late nights setting up the book room and developing displays of furniture and artwork.

In addition to consignments and donations, the shop soon will have a "designers' corner."

"I want to have designer handbags at a reasonable price," said Robin Ferré. She will make a buying trip in late October. "I may come back with some other treasures."

In any case, the designer merchandise will be here in time for holiday shopping.



Treasures 'n' Thrift

520 E. Washington St.

683-0669

Grand opening

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 24